.jpg)
Around 30 kids in the age group of 6-10 years from various schools around the UAE participated in the initiative. The main theme of this initiative was to educate kids about the importance of healthy eating, introduce kids to the culinary profession, and also teach them good eating habits that they can carry with them for life.
For ICCA, this initiative is close to its heart since the centre is committed to supporting United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and being part of initiatives that encourage, sustain, and protect the ecosystem surrounding food.
Detailing the program's initiative and highlighting WorldChef’s and ICCA Dubai’s involvement, Ayca Koc, Food Business Manager-MENA, Nestlé, said:
“Nestlé for Healthier Kids is a global Nestlé initiative, one that was born out of our interest in our future as well as the future of our kids. Since nutrition starts in the kitchen, with chefs and the kids being important links in that cycle, this initiative becomes a great platform to talk about healthy eating and nutrition. We are grateful to Chef Uwe and his team and ICCA Dubai for supporting us year after year in this initiative that is so important for Nestle.”
-min.png)
Healthy eating practices may be the norm but making it exciting and fun is no walk in the park. In fact, challenges abound. This is where Nestlé comes in with its expertise. Chef Elie Lteif, Culinary Advisor, Nestle NP Professional, UAE/Oman said: “Health, nutrition, and sustainability are very important topics for Nestle and form the basis of the Nestle for Healthier Kids. What we try to do is not only teach kids about healthy food but also that cooking can be fun and enjoyable, which was very evident during the cooking session at ICCA today.
The time is right for kids to be healthy and eat right. And we couldn’t have asked for better partners than Chef Uwe and his team and ICCA Dubai to organise this event.”
Eating healthy is a challenge for most families since we live in a busy, fast-paced world leaving very little for elaborate nutritious meals. Joumana Dabbagh, Head of Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Nestlé MENA, dispelled myths about healthy eating and shared tips with parents and families in the UAE. “Healthy eating is a lifelong behaviour. Today, that is the message we want to send across to the kids. And some tips that I would share for parents are: pre-plan your meals; involve your kids in the food preparation; let them suggest the recipes, always try new recipes, and above all be creative.”
-min.png)
Understanding the balance between sustainability and nutrition is now more important than ever. Chef Uwe discussed how encouraging and inculcating healthy eating habits in children with a focus on sustainability is an initiative that we need to do more often. "With regards to sustainable food practices and nutrition, one doesn’t work without the other. It’s a must that they work together. For kids, it is the right age to instill such healthy eating habits and the best way to do this is by involving them in cooking, and getting them excited about the process. Today, even if just a handful of kids show their parents what they have done then we have won. We are grateful to Nestle Professionals and ICCA for this opportunity, but we must do it more often, if not for us but the future of our world.”
Around 30 kids in the age group of 6-10 years from various schools around the UAE participated in the initiative. The main theme of this initiative was to educate kids about the importance of healthy eating, introduce kids to the culinary profession, and also teach them good eating habits that they can carry with them for life.
For ICCA, this initiative is close to its heart since the centre is committed to supporting United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and being part of initiatives that encourage, sustain, and protect the ecosystem surrounding food.
Detailing the program's initiative and highlighting WorldChef’s and ICCA Dubai’s involvement, Ayca Koc, Food Business Manager-MENA, Nestlé, said:
“Nestlé for Healthier Kids is a global Nestlé initiative, one that was born out of our interest in our future as well as the future of our kids. Since nutrition starts in the kitchen, with chefs and the kids being important links in that cycle, this initiative becomes a great platform to talk about healthy eating and nutrition. We are grateful to Chef Uwe and his team and ICCA Dubai for supporting us year after year in this initiative that is so important for Nestle.”
Healthy eating practices may be the norm but making it exciting and fun is no walk in the park. In fact, challenges abound. This is where Nestlé comes in with its expertise. Chef Elie Lteif, Culinary Advisor, Nestle NP Professional, UAE/Oman said: “Health, nutrition, and sustainability are very important topics for Nestle and form the basis of the Nestle for Healthier Kids. What we try to do is not only teach kids about healthy food but also that cooking can be fun and enjoyable, which was very evident during the cooking session at ICCA today.
The time is right for kids to be healthy and eat right. And we couldn’t have asked for better partners than Chef Uwe and his team and ICCA Dubai to organise this event.”
Eating healthy is a challenge for most families since we live in a busy, fast-paced world leaving very little for elaborate nutritious meals. Joumana Dabbagh, Head of Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Nestlé MENA, dispelled myths about healthy eating and shared tips with parents and families in the UAE. “Healthy eating is a lifelong behaviour. Today, that is the message we want to send across to the kids. And some tips that I would share for parents are: pre-plan your meals; involve your kids in the food preparation; let them suggest the recipes, always try new recipes, and above all be creative.”
Understanding the balance between sustainability and nutrition is now more important than ever. Chef Uwe discussed how encouraging and inculcating healthy eating habits in children with a focus on sustainability is an initiative that we need to do more often. "With regards to sustainable food practices and nutrition, one doesn’t work without the other. It’s a must that they work together. For kids, it is the right age to instill such healthy eating habits and the best way to do this is by involving them in cooking, and getting them excited about the process. Today, even if just a handful of kids show their parents what they have done then we have won. We are grateful to Nestle Professionals and ICCA for this opportunity, but we must do it more often, if not for us but the future of our world.”